Mary Badham, a part-time Allentown resident who played Scout, reacts to Harper Lee's death

Mary Badham, the actress who played 10-year-old Scout in the 1962 film "To Kill a Mockingbird," has split her time between homes in Allentown and Virginia. On Friday, she responded to the death of author Nelle Harper Lee.

"Obviously TKAM has been a big part of my life," Badham posted on Facebook. "Even though Miss Nelle is no longer with us, her insight into the human conditions so eloquently expressed in her writing will live on and continue to educate and inspire future generations as much as it has for over half a century.

"I will continue to be a champion for TKAM and its themes as I travel to schools, colleges, Big Read events, and other celebrations of one of our great works of American literature."

Badham's husband said in an email Friday that she was not in Allentown now, and that her Facebook post would be her only comment.

In 2014, Badham spoke to the audience in Bethlehem at Pennsylvania Playhouse's production of "To Kill a Mockingbird."

For her portrayal of Scout, Badham was nominated for a best supporting actress Academy Award. At the time, she was the youngest Oscar nominee. Badham lost to another child actor, Patty Duke for "The Miracle Worker."

About 30 years ago, Badham began making occasional appearances related to "To Kill a Mockingbird," and said in a 2014 interview with The Morning Call, "It kind of snowballed." In 2012, she was invited by President Obama to attend a screening marking the movie's 50th anniversary at The White House.